Cesar Merveille in London

Cesar Merveille in London
Wiggle is something of an institution for those on the London underground clubbing scene. An event that started its journey many years ago in a dingy Brixton basement, it helped pioneer the tech house sound through a variety of outlets: from a ten year residency at Fabric and successful record label through to holding parties anywhere and everywhere: a secret warehouse, a club previously owned by The Kray Twins, an outdoor 'do in Brighton...

Now well into 2011, the guys behind Wiggle—Terry Francis, Nathan Coles and Eddie Richards—set up camp at swanky old members' club Paramount, located on the lofty 31st floor of central London skyscraper Centrepoint. They booked Cadenza hotshot Cesar Merveille for the occasion, and as punters spilled out of the elevator, making a beeline to the dance floor, the bar or to peer out of the vast windows at the sprawling streets of London down below, London-based JB was already engaging his audience with a selection of deep grooved house music.

The original mix of "What Happened?" by Abe Duque thumped out of the speakers and an air of excitement and energy was already present throughout the venue. JB occupied the decks for several hours, playing it deep and provocative and building up to jump-up tech house terrain as the dance floor became more crowded. Merveille's eventually took over, treating the crowd to a solid techno-driven set that still pointed to his funk, soul and deep house influences, while incorporating his largest record to date, "Chocopop Jazz."

Terry Francis took over from there, smoothly easing from Merveille's funk-fuelled rhythms into darker territory for the 4 AM inebriated crowd. Sunday morning rolled in with Nathan Coles and finally Eddie Richards who boxed off the final messy few hours of the night to the now slightly reduced crowd who were still pressing on. The rising sun was disguised by grey February dawn clouds. But as the last record played, leaving the rather dazed clubbers to begin their descent and continue their onward journey to bed or to another party, it was clear that Wiggle had been another success.